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The
London Rally
Speech Delivered
at Downing Street
London 9 June 2002
Dear
fellow citizens,
Today's
rally is different than the previous ones. The feature that makes it different is that Eritreans
of different political beliefs and allegiances have come together to
voice their dejection of the human rights abuses in Eritrea. Today's historic event will
augment the construction of humane and democratic foundations of the
Eritrea we have in our minds.
First of all, allow me to thank all those who made this event a
reality.
Dear
fellow citizens,
The main
drive behind this event is to rally for Human Rights & Democracy in
Eritrea.
The
abuses which comprise of human, political, economic, social and emotional
misappropriations are so serious that they need to be brought to the
attention of the international community urgently.
The
Eritrean people have gained independence from Ethiopian occupation after
a protracted struggle that lasted over thirty years of armed
struggle. Although the human
and material sacrifices were huge, the PFDJ led government not only has
it failed to deliver the promises made by our martyrs but it has also
turned against its own people by adopting dictatorial means of
governance. President Isayas
and his PFDJ Party, the only one in the country, have unlawfully
disallowed opposition parties from partaking in Eritrean politics. They also continue to eliminate
challengers, muzzle discontent, imprison critics, persecute opponents,
lay off civil servants and systematically exclude conscientious citizens
in order to carry out the leadership's brutal and undemocratic
activities.
We,
concerned Eritrean citizens in the UK, have opted for holding a peaceful
rally to express our concerns to the current regime, which is evidently
dragging the nation through constant turmoil. Since the liberation of the
country, the present government has led the citizens into unimaginable
anguish by unleashing its cruel security agents on its own citizens,
conducting terror campaigns against the exiled opposition groups and by
overrunning justice with its kangaroo courts. In today's Eritrea what
prevails is a state of crisis, fear and a period of uncertainty that
looms over the country may lead to an all out civil war, thereby
threatening the very existence of the country as a sovereign state.
The
President has ignored all calls by the opposition and democratic forces
to form an inclusive and democratically elected parliamentary government.
He continually dismisses the need for a national reconciliation between
various groups that make up the Eritrean society. Instead, the citizens
are denied their fundamental human rights, freedom of speech, association
and religious practices.
Consequently, the regime has both failed to acknowledge and
accommodate any kind of opposition within and outside the country. The simple fact that all Eritrean
refugees are still stranded in the Sudan, in Europe and in America is
indicative of a system that does not intend to fulfil the needs and
expectation of the Eritrean people.
Therefore,
all Eritrean democrats and the opposition forces appeal to all democratic
governments and human rights institutions to exert all possible pressure
to bring to an end the injustices that are perpetrated on our people by
the present regime.
We call
for:
·
An immediate release of all
political prisoners languishing in the regime’s jails since 1970s.
·
The establishment of a democratic,
inclusive and peaceful Eritrea
·
The resignation of this
totalitarian regime and the establishment of an all-inclusive and
representative government.
·
The fulfilment of the Eritrean
peoples call for a Rule of Law and the respect of basic human rights
·
The hindrance of another civil war
that is rising over the horizon.
·
All opposition parties and
organisation to co-ordinate their resources in order to peacefully and
effectively challenge the government.
·
Members of Eritrean Defence Forces
to act responsibly and avoid becoming instruments of the current regime.
·
Resolving the heightened tension
with the Sudan amicably and refrain from intervening in Sudan's internal
affairs.
Allow me
to conclude by saying it is my belief that if the above-mentioned calls
do really sink in our people's hearts we will definitely shorten the
journey towards change.
Thank you for joining us in this historic London Rally of 9 June
2002.
Chair
Person
Eritreans
for Human and Democratic Rights - UK
fdsafsa
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